What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? Please share! We’d love to know.
I’ve had a busier than normal week so I’m a bit behind on my reading.
Last week I read Horse by Geraldine Brooks for a book group discussion. The story plays out over two timelines (well, a third is kind of jammed in there, too). I thought the earlier section (set in 1850 - 1875) was top-notch historical fiction, but the modern-day narrative was less compelling. It wasn’t bad by any stretch, just seemed lacking somehow.
I’m currently reading The Strains of Malice by Andrew Beardmore for our indie review program. It’s fantasy-ish. It’s supposed to be set on a planet very unlike our own, but it bears a remarkable resemblance to Britain c. 1650-1700. It’s long, but it’s a fast, entertaining read. A bit on the YA side, but a nice break.
Next will be The Greek House by Dinah Jeffries for discussion here, followed by Liar’s Poker for our 1000 Books to Read Before You Die side read. BTW, anyone’s welcome to join this side read at any point (info here). We’ll be reading The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien in April for discussion starting May 1, and then A Lesson Before Dying by Earnest J. Gaines in May with discussion starting June 1.
In audiobook, I’m still listening to Chain Gang All-Stars. I’m enjoying it OK but generally listen to audiobooks when I walk and I haven’t done much of that this week.
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Hope you can enjoy some walks soon, Kim! The audiobook that really sealed the beauty of outdoor walking and nature (while listening to an audiobook) was Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (the author narrates the audiobook).
I just started Seven Sisters: Captives and Rebels in Revolutionary Europe’s First Family by Veronica Buckley. My grasp of European history is weak and I need a scorecard to keep track of all the royals. Buckley’s descriptions are very assessable and I’m enjoying the history lessons so far!
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I finished Paradiso 17 and found it interesting but a very unlikable main character.
I listened to Sad Tiger, a powerful autofiction about the author’s abuse by her stepfather. She later pressed charges and this book is part of her work of taking back control and living in her truth.
I’m just about to finish an arc of A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz. I love this series of fun mysteries where the author is himself a character. This time a previous book also plays a key role.
I just started listening to The Finest Hotel in Kabul from the Women’s Nonfiction Prize. The shortlist was just announced and I was super happy to see this title moving forward.
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I LOVED Braiding Sweetgrass. I was so glad to see there is also a young adult version available now to make it more accessible to the younger generations.
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The Finest Hotel in Kabul just landed on my Libby shelf. Excited to read it.
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I’m reading ‘Lake Effect’ by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, so far so good. Last week I read ‘I am Agatha’ by Nancy Foley - my 3rd! 5-star book in a row after ‘Kin’ and ‘Good People.’ ‘I am Agatha’ is loosely based on a real artist set in New Mexico - a story of love, art, and grief.
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I recently read about Seven Sisters and look forward to reading it in the future. Those ladies were influential in their time; some tragically.
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I’m only about an hour into The Finest Hotel in Kabul. It is read by the author and so far, so good.
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Last week I read Do Not Disturb (McFadden) because my 20-something granddaughter asked me to. It was entertaining. This week I’ve been struggling with Wandering Stars (Orange) for a discussion and reading The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman for me. I’ve been meaning to read all of her books ever since she was a guest author on BookBrowse!
I’m currently reading Killing Patton by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. It was a loan from a relative so I’m feeling bound to read it. So far, it’s not bad. I interrupted listening to The Jungle by Upton Sinclair to start listening to Liar’s Poker, as Kim mentioned in her post. I just finished Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and attended my book club discussion. I, who selected it, and the other members present did not care for it. We felt the short story venue and jumping around between characters and time periods made it choppy and hard to follow. Although a Pulitzer winner, it didn’t win any prizes with us.
I finished “Raising Hare” by Chloe Dalton last week and thought it a nice read for animal lovers. I should be done with “The Invention of Charlotte Brontë” by Sunday. I am in my hometown for a funeral and should have down time to read. “Angel Down” by Daniel Kraus is next and I hear great things!
I enjoyed Angel Down especially since my grandfather and two great uncles fought in WWI. Uncle Art was killed in action. Gen. Pershing named him one of the 100 Great whose heroism in the face of mortal danger saved many lives. Art is buried in a military cemetery in France. The author’s description of the daily life, dangers and conditions helped me better understand the perils my relatives all endured. The author’s style of one continuous sentence was not a distraction.
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Yes, the storyline sounds great but the “one sentence” structure intimidates me.
I am currently reading All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, considered a seminal book on the experience of war from a soldier’s perspective.
No worries. You’ll just keep reading. I was pleased that the style wasn’t a distraction.
Angel Down’s one sentence didn’t work for me so I think I’ll try it again as an audio and let the reader do some of the work for me.
Just put Lake Effect on my holds list at the library. Would love to hear what you think about it when finished.
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I finished So Far Gone by Jess Walters. It was more violent and dark than I expected and I needed something lighter. This week I am reading There are Rivers in the Sky, which is not light either, but really compelling.
I felt similarly about Horse, especially the ending. 
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